Growing moose population offers new hunting options

Grand Junction, Colo. (KKCO) - The moose population has grown to just under 400 on the Grand Mesa, and now the Division of Wildlife is proposing new hunting opportunities.

On Monday night, at the Parks and Wildlife office, officials held a meeting called the "State of the Moose." The purpose was to inform the public about the success of the moose population that were relocated here several years ago.

For the last few years, a limited amount of bull moose hunting tags were issued.

Now that the population has reached the Division of Wildlife's management objectives, they are proposing to the wildlife commission that a limited amount of cow moose tags be issued next November.

"The moose herd is growing rapidly, and it has the opportunity, ability to produce a number of recreational opportunities from watching moose to hunting moose, and Grand Mesa has the capability of producing both of those opportunities," said Brad Petch, Senior Biologist with the Parks and Wildlife office.

The moose relocation was funded by sportsmen dollars. The wildlife commission should be making a final decision on the proposed cow moose tags this January.

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